Day 221 - Barossa Valley

We started out today with a bright sky, sunny and a temperature of around 20 degrees.  By lunchtime the temperature had soared to 38 degrees and there was a blustery NW wind blowing.  We still managed to give the Barossa Valley a Workover.

We followed the tourist drive as dictated by the map and in so doing saw some beautiful views, particularly from a little higher up on Mengel's Hill.  

131114 A view of the Barosssa Valley

131114 Another view of the Barosssa Valley

131114 Barossa Valley from Mengel's Hill

131114 Barossa Valley from Mengel's Hill

131114 You may be able to pick out some familiar names on this
Mengel's Hill direction finder

We came across such familiar names as Chateau Dorrien, Chateau Tanunda, Yalumba, Saltrams, Wolff Blass, and many others we have never heard of.  It was so pleasant driving through the vineyards which were by now in full leaf and, in some cases, with small grapes evident on the branches.

131114 Chateau Dorrien

131114 Chateau Tanunda

131114 Gardens at Chateau Tanunda

131114 Gardens at Chateau Tanunda 

131114 Yalumba Winery entrance

131114 Guess who?

131114 Wolff Blass winery

We lunched at Salter's Restaurant at Saltram's Winery.  We shared a "Charcuterie", which was a platter of seven German style meats and sausages, pate, cheese, olives, gherkins, fruit chutney, a gherkin relish, four small bread rolls and a broken pappadam.  These were washed down with a sparkling pear cider and a glass of Pinot Noir/Chardonnay "bubbles".  It took us an hour and a bit to get through that lot!

131114 Saltrams Winery at the entrance

131114 The >100year old grape vine at Saltrams cellar door

131114 Lunch at Salter's Restaurant at Saltrams Winery

We renewed our love affair with Henschke Wines.  They are a bit outside the valley at Keyneton and have an unpretentious cellar door.  However their wines still met our expectations so we bought some.  We did not buy any Hill of Grace.  The last vintage was on offer at $530/bottle.

131114 Self explanatory

131114 The unpretentious cellar door at Henschke Cellars

By the time we got back to Nuriootpa the temperature had reached 38 degrees.  It was most uncomfortable, particularly with the wind blowing, so we hightailed it home to the van and the relief afforded by the air conditioner.